How to Create a Professional Looking YouTube video

How to Create a Professional-Looking YouTube Video


Content is the foundation of the internet. A few years ago that meant writing content. It meant articles, blog posts, reports, case studies and so on. Today video content is growing. As a business owner you can take advantage of this visual medium to grow your business. Of course the more professional your videos are, the better your results.

Lighting

The lighting in your video is important. If your viewers cannot see you clearly, they won’t watch. To avoid shadows and a too dark video, don’t sit directly in the light of a window. Instead, have a soft light directed toward your face.

Preparation Is Key

Write or outsource your script first. Winging it is a sure way to an unprofessional video. Make sure you know what you want to say and how you want to say it before you hit the record button on your camera.

Write Well

Make sure your video is interesting. Any good video will be a lot like a good article or blog post. It’ll focus on a specific topic. It’ll grab your viewer’s attention right away. Your video will also offer value and include a call to action.

Make sure you have a purpose for your video before you write it. What do you want to accomplish and what action do you want viewers to take once they’ve watched your video?

Practice

Do a practice run first.  Read your script aloud a few times and consider recording it so you can test the lighting, sound, camera angle and content. Practice using note cards or bullet points as your cues.

Editing

Edit your video and add any background audio. You will likely want to trim out the end and the beginning, and add a watermark with the URL of your website. Ideally, you’ll have no more than eight minutes of video when you’re finished. Shorter videos perform better than the long ones.

Your Call to Action

The call to action is one of the most important parts of a YouTube video. Make sure your call to action supports your goal. Don’t hesitate to mention it half way through the video and also at the end.

How to Dress

Finally, don’t forget to dress the part. Make sure you’re dressed appropriately and professionally. Think about your audience and how they will respond to your attire. Also take a look at the things they can see in your video.

Personal mementos, knick knacks, and artwork may not seem like much to you but your viewers may have an opinion. Don’t distract them by the background. Help them focus on you and your message by eliminating any background items. Creating a professional video isn’t difficult. However, it does require some time and advance planning.